Contend for the Faith

Light Living in a Dark World

Text: Ephesians 5:3-14Speaker: Craig MarshallDate: March 20, 2011

As Christians, we know that we are supposed to live differently than the world, but sometimes we can lose sight of what exactly that should look like. How are we supposed to act – especially in a world preoccupied with sexual immorality? How does being a Christian change how we talk? What are our relationships with unbelievers supposed to look like – especially when we are living in a holy way? How much are we to interact with non-Christians, and what is the goal of that interaction? These are all issues that Paul answers through the lens of the fact that God has made us light through Christ.

Poor Rich and Rich Poor

The world values people according to wealth and status.
James turns the world’s values upside down as he says that the poor/lowly brother should boast in his elevation, while the wealthy should boast in his humiliation. When James speaks in this way he sounds like Jesus who taught in the Beatitudes that those who are poor in spirit are blessed and the meek will inherit the earth. Jesus also affirms that God’s values are the opposite the world’s through his parables of the rich fool and the rich man and Lazarus; and the story of the rich young ruler who would not turn loose of his wealth that he might gain Christ.

The world says that the lowly are disadvantaged. Jesus and James teach that the rich is spiritually disadvantaged because it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

All of this fits into this section of James which focuses on trials. We all know that poverty is a trial. We need wisdom that we might joyfully endure the trial of being poor. The rich also need wisdom to humble themselves by setting aside their earthly wealth and status that they might be united with Christ and His people. Such wisdom comes when we recognize that our riches are temporary and fleeting. One Santa Ana wind, or an earthquake, or a tsunami, and all our worldly wealth (and even our frail lives) will be wiped out. Only that which is connected with God will last.

Ask God for Wisdom

For what do you most often pray? Often we are inclined to pray for changes in our circumstances so that our lives would be more pleasant (or less difficult).
James tells us to pray for that which we most need – wisdom. God, because He is giving and generous, delights to answer this prayer (as he did for Solomon long ago).
James also tells us how to pray, not in double-minded doubt, but in single-hearted faith. The reason some don’t receive wisdom is that they fail to seek and value God’s wisdom.